Plan your Cycling Holiday in Åland – Tips & Advice
The Åland Islands are a perfect destination for a cycling holiday or shorter bike trips. Distances are short: the main island is only about 50 km from east to west and north to south. This makes it easy to explore a lot in a small area.
Here, you’ll find beautiful nature, scenic cycling routes, quiet roads, and many interesting sights. On this page, we’ve gathered useful tips to help you plan your cycling trip in Åland.
Book your Trip to Åland
You can plan your trip yourself or book a ready-made package with travel and accommodation included. Several travel companies offer cycling packages, including Eckerö Linjen and Viking Line.
We recommend booking well in advance, especially for the high season (June–August). This helps you secure ferry times that suit your schedule and the accommodation you prefer.
Explore the Åland Archipelago Route
The Åland Archipelago Route takes you from mainland Finland to Åland, island by island, using archipelago ferries. It’s a unique way to experience the region.
You can also explore parts of this route while staying on the Åland main island if you want to discover more of the archipelago.
The route is best travelled in summer, when services such as restaurants and accommodation are open. There are two main options: a northern route and a southern route. A third option combines both into a scenic loop.
Read more about the Åland Archipelago route here.
Stay Overnight in the Archipelago
The archipelago refers to the smaller island municipalities east of the Åland main island. These include Föglö, Sottunga, Kökar, Kumlinge, and Brändö.
If you travel along the archipelago route between Finland and Åland, we recommend staying at least one night in the archipelago. This can make your trip more affordable—and much more memorable.
You’ll have more time to explore the islands and experience the local lifestyle.
If your goal is to reach the main island quickly, you can instead take a direct ferry from Turku.
Rent a Bike in Åland
If you don’t bring your own bike, it’s easy to rent one in Åland. In Mariehamn, Ro-No Rent offers bicycles, tandem bikes, and bike trailers.
Many hotels, guesthouses, and guest harbours also rent bikes—often by the hour or for a full day.
For a day trip, you don’t need much equipment: a helmet, water bottle, and sun protection are usually enough. Repair kits are often included with rentals. If you need assistance, Ro-No can help on-site for a small fee.
Cycling with Kids in Åland
Cycling with children in Åland is easy and enjoyable. A bike trailer is a great option for younger kids.
If your children can cycle themselves, you can use the trailer for luggage—or for souvenirs from local shops and flea markets.
On warm summer days, it’s nice to take a break for a swim. There are many great places along the coast where you can cool off and relax.
For shorter trips or rest stops, you’ll also find nature trails and disc golf courses around Åland—perfect for the whole family.
A Safe Cycling Destination
Åland is a safe place for cycling, even with children. There are many dedicated cycle paths separated from car traffic.
On smaller roads without cycle paths, traffic is usually light. Local drivers are generally considerate and respectful toward cyclists.
If something unexpected happens—such as bad weather or a breakdown—you can take your bike on a local bus for a small fee. Taxis are also available.
On the main island, you are almost never more than 40 km (about 30 minutes by car) from Mariehamn.
Bicycle Paths in Åland
In recent years, several new cycle paths have been built along main roads.
You can now cycle on dedicated paths:
- From Mariehamn to Eckerö
- Between Näfsby and Godby
- From Mariehamn to Långnäs
- From Mariehamn to Bomarsund
- From Mariehamn to Geta
In rural areas without cycle paths, routes are often marked with white and green signs. These guide you to quieter roads with less traffic and beautiful views.
Most roads in Åland are paved and in good condition.
Tips on Cycling Routes
There are almost endless route options in Åland. Even though the islands are small, there is always something new to discover nearby.
Main roads may have speed limits of 70–90 km/h, while villages usually have limits of 30–50 km/h.
For the best experience, we recommend choosing smaller roads. These often lead you through charming villages and scenic landscapes. We have also listed 10 bicycle routes to help you plan your trip.
It’s good to remember that you must not cycle along the marked nature trails or hiking paths since they are for hiking on foot.
Accommodation Options
Do you prefer to stay in a tent on a camping site or a comfortable hotel bed? There are several options for you to choose from when planning where to spend the night – beautiful camping sites close to nature, high standard hotels with pools and sauna, B&Bs with unique character and small countryside hotels and cabins.
It’s good to be early with your booking, especially if you are travelling during the high season June-August. If you haven’t booked any accommodation, don’t worry. The camping sites most often welcome you even without a booking – if you prefer not to plan your holiday in detail.
Food and Drink Along the Way
Restaurants and Cafés
Do you want to cook your meals on a portable camping stove or eat in a restaurant? If you plan to put a little more luxurious touch on your biking holiday there’s a wide range of restaurants and cafés around Åland. During the high season, from Midsummer until mid August, they have generous opening hours. If you want to be sure to get a meal after cycling, we recommend you to check the restaurant’s opening hours in advance. Some of the restaurants advise you to make a table reservation.
Picnic and Grocery Shopping
Are you planning to buy your meals in a grocery store and eat on a resting place when you get hungry? In that case it’s good to know that not all villages have a supermarket in Åland. We recommend you to prepare your biking stretches so that you pack enough food and drink with you so that you can manage until you pass by a store next time.
Local Shops and Supermarkets
Even the stores’ opening hours are more limited in the Åland archipelago and countryside than what you may be used to. However, the small countryside stores are charming and have a vintage atmosphere – and often a wide choice of products. It’s a treat to stop in a little countryside store. By shopping locally, you also support the archipelago community.
In Mariehamn and Jomala, you’ll find larger supermarkets with long opening hours—even on Sundays. There are also two grocery stores in Godby. Most supermarkets are open seven days a week.
